COQUITLAM, British Columbia (AP) — Karine Icher had six birdies in a seven-hole stretch and shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to take the first-round lead in the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.
Winless in 253 career LPGA Tour starts, Icher birdied Nos. 2, 5-6 and 8-11 at Vancouver Golf Club, then closed the bogey-free round with seven pars. Two-time champion Lydia Ko was second after a 67. She birdied the final two holes.
Ko won in 2012 at Vancouver Golf Club at 15 years, 4 months to become the LPGA Tour’s youngest winner and fifth amateur champion. She successfully defended her title in 2013 as an amateur, winning by five strokes in Edmonton, Alberta. The 18- year-old New Zealander has two victories this year.
Stacy Lewis, I.K. Kim, Danah Bordner and Pernilla Lindberg shot 68. Winless this year, Lewis hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation.
Canadian teen Brooke Henderson, coming off a victory Sunday in the Portland Classic, opened with a 70. The 17-year-old Henderson is the first Canadian to win on the tour since Lorie Kane in 2001.
Top-ranked Inbee Park, the Women’s British Open winner in her last start, had a 71.
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